Containers Having Magnets

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to containers comprising one or more magnets such that the containers, when placed adjacent to one another, may be magnetically coupled together.

BACKGROUND

Containers for storing food-stuffs and other objects are a commonhousehold item. Containers have been developed which include recesses tofacilitate stacking. These containers, however, more often than not failto remain in a fixed position, especially when empty.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present disclosure is a container comprising anopening and a bottom wall opposite the opening, and at least one sidewall perpendicular to the opening and bottom wall, wherein the opening,bottom wall, and side wall define an interior space of the container,and wherein the bottom wall comprises at least one magnet. In someembodiments, the opening has a first size and the bottom wall has asecond size. In some embodiments, the opening and bottom wall arecircular. In some embodiments, the and bottom wall are rectangular.

In some embodiments, the at least one magnet of the bottom wall isremovable. In some embodiments, the at least one magnet of the bottomwall is in a holder on an interior or exterior surface of the bottomwall. In some embodiments, the at least one magnet of the bottom wall isprovided within a track or other holding means on an interior orexterior surface of the bottom wall. In some embodiments, the at leastone magnet is embedded within the bottom wall.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall comprises at least four magnets. Insome embodiments, the side wall comprises at least one magnet. In someembodiments, the container further comprises a lid having a magnet. Insome embodiments, each wall comprises at least one magnet.

In another aspect of the present disclosure is a container comprising anopening and a bottom wall opposite the opening, and at least one sidewall perpendicular to the opening and bottom wall, wherein the opening,bottom wall, and side wall define an interior space of the container,and wherein the bottom wall comprises a portion that is magnetic. Insome embodiments, the magnetic portion comprises at least about 2.5% ofthe surface area of the total surface area of the bottom wall. In someembodiments, the magnetic comprises at least about 5% of the surfacearea of the total surface area of the bottom wall. In some embodiments,the magnetic portion comprises at least about 10% of the surface area ofthe total surface area of the bottom wall. In some embodiments, themagnetic portion is embedded within the bottom wall of the container. Insome embodiments, the magnetic portion is a portion of the bottom wallthat has magnetic properties. In some embodiments, the entire bottomwall is comprised of a magnetic material or a material having magneticproperties.

In some embodiments, the magnetic portion comprises a magnet providedwithin a track mounted on a surface of the bottom wall and the magnetmay be moved or otherwise manipulated (or removed) from the track. Insome embodiments, the magnet is removable. In some embodiments, the sidewall comprises at least one magnet.

In another aspect of the present disclosure is a container comprising anopening and a bottom wall opposite the opening, and at least one sidewall perpendicular to the opening and bottom wall, wherein the opening,bottom wall, and side wall define an interior space of the container,and wherein the at least one side wall comprises a portion that ismagnetic. In some embodiments, the magnetic portion comprises at leastabout 2.5% of the surface area of the total surface area of the sidewall comprising the magnetic portion. In some embodiments, the magneticcomprises at least about 5% of the surface area of the total surfacearea of the side wall comprising the magnetic portion. In someembodiments, the magnetic portion comprises at least about 10% of thesurface area of the total surface area of the side wall comprising themagnetic portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure is a kit comprising acontainer having means for holding one or more magnets, a removable lidhaving means for holding one or more magnets, and at least two magnets.In some embodiments, the holding means is located on an exterior orinterior surface of a side wall of the container or an interior orexterior surface of a bottom wall of the container. In some embodiments,the container comprises at least one holding means for each containerwall, and wherein the kit further comprises at least one magnet forengagement within each holding means. In some embodiments, the kitcomprises multiple containers, each having a removable lid (e.g. twocontainers, two lids, and four magnets). In some embodiments, the kitcomprises indicia, such as colored indicia, to assist in aligningcontainers and/or lids.

Given the need in the art, Applicants have developed an improvedcontainer and system. Indeed, Applicants have developed containerscomprising one or more magnets, and that such contains, when arrangednear or stacked upon appropriately configured containers also containingmagnets, allows for the containers to remain in a desired position,arrangement, or stacked configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a container having a lid with a magnet embeddedwithin the lid or mounted on an interior or exterior surface of the lid.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a container having magnets embedded within ormounted on an interior or exterior surface of various container walls.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate various magnet configurations.

FIGS. 4A and 4B provide side views of a container having a lid attachedand illustrating the positioning of a magnet.

FIG. 5 illustrates a magnet embedded within a container wall or lid.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the stacking of container walls or lidsrelative to each other.

FIG. 7 illustrates the positioning of a magnet on an exterior surface ofa bottom wall of a container.

FIG. 8A is a bottom view of circular container having a magnet embeddedwithin a bottom wall.

FIG. 8B is a bottom view of rectangular container having a magnetembedded within a bottom wall.

FIG. 8C is a side view of a container having a magnet embedded within abottom wall.

FIG. 8D is a side view of a container lid having a magnet embeddedtherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to containers comprising one or moremagnets such that the containers, when placed adjacent to one another,may be magnetically coupled together.

Any containers known in the art may be adapted for use as describedherein. Containers suitable for use herein may be made out of anymaterial, including but not limited to plastic (polymers, copolymers,polymer blends, copolymer blends), silicones, composites, fiberglass,metal, Pyrex®, wood, and glass etc. In addition, in other embodiments,the containers may be coated with a non-stick material, to make cleaningeasy. In still other embodiments, the containers may be food grade safe.In still other embodiments, the containers may be made out of materialsable to withstand high temperatures such as those found in ovens and/orstove tops.

In some embodiments, the container itself, or a portion thereof, iscomprised of a magnetic material or a material having magneticproperties. In yet other embodiments, the containers may be coated witha magnetic material on at least one wall of the container (interior orexterior surface of the container wall).

The containers of the present disclosure may comprise any size, shape,or volume, as known in the art. The containers may be rectangular(including square), circular, or have any shape. The containers may haveany number of walls (e.g. a single wall continuous wall for a circularcontainer, four walls for a rectangular container, or three walls).Moreover, the container may have an opening that is one size and/orshape and an opposing bottom wall that has a different size and/orshape. Any pre-existing containers may be used with the presentinvention and those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to adaptthem accordingly.

In some embodiments, the containers comprise lids which engage atop-most portion of the container and which, together with thecontainer, form a sealed or airtight inner compartment within thecontainer. The lids may be fully or partially detachable from thecontainers. The lids may be constructed from the same or differentmaterials as compared with the containers themselves. In someembodiments, the lids are made of a sufficient strength such thatcontainers comprising food or other objects may be stacked on top ofeach other, such as without deflection of the container lid.

In some embodiments, the containers and/or lids comprise one or moremagnets. The magnets may be located on any side or wall of the container(interior or exterior), including a bottom side.

Any suitable magnets can be used with the disclosures presented herein,including neodymium magnets, ceramic magnets, rare earth magnets, andmagnets prepared from alloys (e.g. Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt (Alnicos),Strontium-Iron (Ferrites), Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Neo magnets) andSamarium-Cobalt. (The Samarium-Cobalt and Neodymium-Iron-Boronfamilies). The magnets themselves may have any size, shape, includingcurved or arcuate shapes (where curved and arcuate shaped magnets couldbe used in conjunction with circular or otherwise curved containers), orstrength. The skilled artisan will be able to select an appropriatemagnet for the intended purpose.

The magnets utilized may be custom designed or off-the-shelf magnets. Insome embodiments, the magnets are designed to have a particular shape,such as a shape which conforms to a size of a wall, side, or lid. Forexample, for a circular lid having a diameter of about 3 inches, acircular or “o”-shaped magnet having a diameter of between about 1.5inches and about 2.75 inches may be placed within the container lid(and, a similarly shaped and sized magnet may be placed in an opposingbottom wall, as described herein, assuming that the opening/lid have thesame size and/or shape as the bottom wall). In general, any magnet maybe designed to conform to the perimeter of any wall, side, or lid, andsuch a customized magnet may be embedded within the wall, side, or lidor may be placed on a surface of the wall, side or lid (internal orexternal surface).

The skilled artisan will be able to select appropriate magnets forincorporation into the container walls and lids. For example, it may bedesirable to choose magnets having a certain strength such that (i)adjacent containers may stay at least partially coupled to each other,while (ii) allowing the containers to be separated from each otherwithout requiring too much force.

The magnets may be embedded within a wall of the container or within thecontainer lid (see, for example, FIG. 5 which provides a container wall70 where a magnet 71 is embedded within that wall). For example, a sidewall of a container may comprise one or more magnets embedded within thematerial of the container and in a fixed position or movable position.For example, the bottom wall may comprise one magnet. Alternatively, thebottom wall may comprise two magnets. In some embodiments, the bottomwall may comprise at least three magnets. In other embodiments, thebottom way may comprise at least four magnets.

For illustrative purposes, FIG. 8A illustrates a circular container 101having a single magnet 102 embedded in a bottom all thereof. Likewise,FIG. 8B illustrates a rectangular container 104 having a single magnet105 embedded in a bottom all thereof. FIG. 8C illustrates a side view ofa container having a bottom wall 106 and a magnet 103 embedded therein.FIG. 8D illustrates a lid 108 which may releasably engage a top of acontainer, the lid 108 comprising a magnet 109 embedded therein. Ofcourse, the skilled artisan will appreciate that while FIGS. 8A-8Dillustrate containers or lids having a single magnet embedded therein,any number of magnets may be incorporated.

Alternatively, the magnets may be temporarily or permanently attached toan interior or exterior surface of a side of the container or aninterior or exterior surface of a container lid. For example, a sidewall of the container may contain a housing which may hold a magnet inplace. Alternatively, magnets may be placed in a track along a wall ofthe container or lid, such that the magnets may slide along the surfaceof the container wall or lid within the track (or other suitablestructure) and placed into different positions. Any number of magnetsmay be placed in any individual track or holder, as described herein. Inother embodiments, the magnets are removable and/or interchangeable.

FIG. 1 illustrates a container 3 having a detachable lid 1. Embeddedwithin the lid 3 is a magnet 2, positioned within a center portion ofthe lid. While the magnet of FIG. 1 is depicted as embedded within thematerial of the lid, the magnet may be external to the lid surface, suchas in a track or other housing. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a containerhaving a first wall 10 having a first magnet 11; a second wall 20 and asecond magnet 21; a third wall 30 and a third magnet 31; a fourth wall40 (here, a bottom wall) and a fourth magnet 41; and a fifth wall 50 anda fifth magnet 51. Of course, the containers of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B mayhave any size and shape and any internal volume. Moreover, while FIGS.1, 2A and 2B depict that only a single magnet is included within or onthe surface of any wall (interior or exterior surface) or lid, aplurality of magnets having any polarity or strength may be includedwithin or on a surface of any wall or lid. Moreover, while the whileFIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B depict a fixed magnet, these embodiments may bealtered to comprise magnets that are removable and/or positionablewithin a hold means, e.g. a house, track, slideable track, or othersuitable structures for engaging the magnet.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate embodiments comprising a plurality of magnetswithin or on the surface (interior or exterior) of any container lid orwall. For example, wall 10 may comprise magnets 12, 13, 14, and 15, withone magnet positioned at each corner of the wall 10. These magnets mayhave any polarity. For example, each of magnets 12, 13, 14, and 15 mayhave a single polarity. In other embodiments, such as depicted in FIG.3B, magnets 16 and 19 have a first polarity (a “north” pole exposedoutward towards the container surface) while magnets 17 and 18 have asecond polarity (a “south” pole exposed outward towards the containersurface). The polarities may be of any configuration. FIG. 3C providesyet another embodiment where a single magnet has first and second poles.

The lids and walls of the containers may have any number of magnets andthe magnets may have any spatial relation relative to each other. Forexample, a lid or container wall may contain a single magnet centeredwithin the lid or wall. Alternatively, a lid or container may containfour magnets, one at each corner. If a particular lid or container wallcomprises more than one magnet, each of the magnets in that lid orcontainer wall may have the same or different polarities.

In some embodiments, each wall of the container and the container lidcomprises at least one magnet having a particular polarity. For example,and as illustrated in FIG. 6B, a first container lid 81 of a firstcontainer 86 may comprise a first magnet 83 having a first polaritywhile a bottom wall 85 of a second container 84 may comprise a magnethaving a second polarity, where the first and second polarities areopposite of each other. When two containers 84 and 86 having the same orsimilar structures and configuration are stacked on top of each other, afirst polarity of a first magnet 83 in a first container lid 81 of afirst container 86 is magnetically attracted to a second magnet 87located in a bottom wall 85 of a second container 84, wherein the secondmagnet 87 has a polarity opposite to that of magnet 83. In this way, thecontainers 84 and 86, when stacked on top of each other, remain in astacked configuration, even if external forces are applied to either ofthe first and or second containers.

While the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6B provides for vertical stacking,containers having magnets in side walls can equally be arrangedproximally to each other (e.g. within the same plane) and remain inmagnetic communication with each other. For example, a first side wallof a container may comprise a first magnet having a first polarity whilea second side wall of the same container may comprise a magnet having asecond polarity, again where the first and second polarities areopposite each other. Likewise, a third and fourth wall of the containercould also comprise additional magnets, again having opposite polaritiesfrom each other. In this way, when adjacent containers of similarconfiguration (i.e. comprising magnets or magnetic materials) are placedproximal to each other, the containers may become at least a partiallymagnetically coupled together, provided that magnets are aligned havingopposing polarities. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 6A, a side wallof a first container may comprise a first arrangement of four magnetswhile a side wall of a second container may comprise a secondarrangement of four magnets (the second arrangement being the oppositeof the first arrangement), such that the opposing container side wallsmay magnetically couple to one another.

In some embodiments, the magnets are provided on a surface of acontainer wall 65, such as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In theseparticular embodiments, the magnets 62 and 63 are mounted on a containersurface 65 and protrude about the same distance as the distance in whicha container lid 61 overhangs the side walls of a container 60, such thatwhen containers are arranged proximally to each other, the magnets mayremain in magnetic communication with other other. For example, if acontainer lid extends 5 mm past the edge of a container, having a magnetprotrude about the same distance could be helpful in ensuring thatcontainers placed proximally to each other would become magneticallycoupled together (and this is especially true when weaker magnets areused). This same concept may be applied to curved container surfaces,with a respectively contoured magnet, such that adjacent containershaving curved or arcuate surfaces remain at least partially magneticallycoupled to each other.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 7, a magnet 93 is mounted to anexterior surface of a bottom wall 92 of a container 90. In thisembodiment, the container 90 is depicted as having extensions 91 so thatthe magnet 93 is not placed in direct contact with an external object.In some embodiments, a container is modified to incorporate extensions91 (e.g. by incorporating rubber “feet,” or other objects on the bottomsurface of the container). In this embodiment, magnet 93 may be attachedto the exterior surface of the bottom wall or may be positioned in anexternal holder as described herein.

As noted herein, in some embodiments the magnet(s) are located within atrack or other slideable engagement system along a surface (interior orexterior) or within the walls or lids of the containers. In theseembodiments, the magnets may be arranged in any manner to facilitatemagnetic coupling between containers. This is especially helpful for thecoupling together of containers that are of varying sizes and shapes.For example, if a container having a 4″ wall height is to be coupled toa second container having a 2″ wall height, the magnets on bothcontainers may be arranged within their respective tracks to facilitatethe magnetic coupling of these differently sized containers. The tracksor slideable engagement systems may be mounted on an external orinternal wall of the containers and/or lid. Likewise, the tracks orslideable engagement systems may be embedded within the walls of thecontainer or within the lid itself, and a mechanism may be provided fora user to manipulate the magnet within the track or slideable engagementsystem. In addition, the tracks may have any size or shape.

As also noted herein, in some embodiments the magnet(s) are removableand/or interchangeable to facilitate washing and cleaning of themagnets, containers, and/or lids. In some embodiments, the removablenature of the magnets allows them to be replaced with stronger or weakermagnets on an as needed basis. In other embodiments, the removablenature of the magnets allows for different polarity configurations to beachieved. For example, a flat magnet having an upper half that has a“north” polarity and a lower half having a “south” polarity may bearranged such that either the “north” or “south” polarity halves arefacing outward from the interior space of the container.

In some embodiments, a magnetic material is embedded within at least aportion of the material of the container or in a particular section ofthe material of the container. For example, a bottom wall or side wallmay contain an area (“magnetic portion”) that comprises a magneticmaterial embedded therein. In some embodiments, the magnetic portion ofa wall comprises at least about 2.5% of the surface area of the totalsurface area of the wall. In other embodiments, the magnetic portion ofa wall comprises at least about 5% of the surface area of the totalsurface area of the wall. In other embodiments, the magnetic portion ofa wall comprises at least about 10% of the surface area of the totalsurface area of the wall. In some embodiments, a magnet is embeddedwithin the bottom wall (i.e. within the material of the bottom wall),and the embedded magnet is positioned in a center of the bottom wall ofthe container.

In some embodiments, a kit is provided comprising a container havingfour walls, a bottom wall, and a removable lid, where each opposing wallcomprises one or more magnets having opposing magnetic polarities; andwhere the bottom wall and the lid each comprise one or more magnetswhere the bottom wall magnet(s) and the lid magnet(s) have magnets withopposite polarities.

In some embodiments, a kit is provided comprising a circular containerand a removable lid, where the bottom wall of the circular containercomprises a magnet embedded within the material of the bottom wall, andwherein the magnet is positioned substantially in the center of thebottom wall; and where the removable lid comprises a magnet embeddedwithin the material of the bottom wall, and wherein the magnet ispositioned substantially in the center of the removable lid. In someembodiments, the magnet in the bottom wall has a first polarity, andwherein the magnet in the removal lid has a second polarity. Forexample, a kit may comprise the container depicted in FIG. 8C and thelid depicted in FIG. 8D.

In some embodiments, a kit is provided comprising (a) a container havingtracks positioned along a surface of each wall of the container, thetrack suitable for holding a magnet therein; (b) a container lid able tobe coupled to the container to provide a sealed inner container space,the container lid comprising a track positioned along a surface of thelid, the track suitable for holding a magnet therein; and (c) magnetsfor insertion within each of the tracks, the magnets each having a“north” polarity and a “south” polarity. In some embodiments, at leastsix magnets are provided within each kit. In other embodiments, the kitfurther comprises instructions for proper arrangement of the magnetswithin the tracks. In yet other embodiments, the containers themselvesprovide instructions or provide other identifying indicia forpositioning of the magnets within the tracks. In some embodiments, themagnets, containers, lids, walls, etc. are color coded to assist withthe placement of containers. In some embodiments, the kit all providesmounts including magnets which may be positioned within a cabinet suchthat containers containing magnets may be kept in alignment with themounts when set in a cabinet or on a shelf.

In some embodiments, each container in a kit has the same number of sidewalls and each wall of the container has same number of embedded magnetsor holding means. In some embodiments, a kit comprises two or moredifferently sized containers, each container having about the sameshape, but having a different interior volume. In this particularembodiment, magnets in bottoms walls and lids are preferably placed inthe center of the bottom wall or the lid such that the differently sizedcontainers may be stacked or placed adjacent to each other and remain inmagnetic communication with each other.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to severalembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing fromthe essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that thedisclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that thedisclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A kit comprising: (i) a first circular container having a bottom wallwith a first magnet embedded therein, wherein the second magnet issubstantially centered in the bottom wall of the first circularcontainer; and (ii) a first lid configured to releasably engage acircular wall of the first container, wherein the first lid comprises asecond magnet embedded therein, and wherein the first magnet issubstantially centered within the first lid.
 2. The kit of claim 1,wherein the first magnet and the second magnet have opposite polarities.3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first container has a diameterranging from between about 2 inches to about 10 inches, and wherein thelid has substantially the same diameter.
 4. The kit of claim 1, whereinthe first container has a diameter ranging from between about 3 inchesto about 8 inches.
 5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the first containerhas a diameter ranging from between about 4 inches to about 8 inches. 6.The kit of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is sized such that itcomprises between about 5% and about 20% of an area defined by thebottom wall of the container.
 7. The kit of claim 1, further comprisinga second circular container having a bottom wall with a third magnetembedded therein, wherein the third magnet is substantially centered inthe bottom wall of the second container; and (ii) a second lidconfigured to releasably engage a circular wall of the second circularcontainer, wherein the second lid comprises a fourth magnet embeddedtherein, and wherein the fourth magnet is substantially centered withinthe second lid.
 8. A kit comprising: (i) a first rectangular containerhaving a bottom wall with a first magnet embedded therein, wherein thesecond magnet is substantially centered in the bottom wall of the firstrectangular container; and (ii) a first lid configured to releasablyengage the first rectangular container, wherein the first lid comprisesa second magnet embedded therein, and wherein the first magnet issubstantially centered within the first lid.
 9. The kit of claim 8,wherein the first magnet and the second magnet have opposite polarities.10. The kit of claim 8, wherein the first magnet is sized such that itcomprises between about 5% and about 20% of an area defined by thebottom wall of the container.